ALEC SOTH: Sleeping by the Mississippi

January 13 – April 24, 2006
Des Moines Art Center Downtown

Exhibition Opening
Thursday, January 12, 5–7 pm
Music by Matt Ranallo

Alec Soth: Sleeping by the Mississippi
“A waking dream” describes Sleeping by the Mississippi, a series of photographs created by Minneapolis-based artist Alec Soth. From childhood, the photographer felt the pull of the nearby Mississippi River and its promise of exotic adventures like those of Huck Finn. In 1999, Soth embarked on the first of several road trips from which resulted these powerful images of the strange and beautiful world along America’s third coast. From north to south—the frozen riverbanks of Minnesota to the Gulf’s “dead zone” at Venice, Louisiana—Soth documented the eccentric people, unusual landscapes, and curious interiors along the Mississippi with a singular dreamlike vision.

The exhibition Alec Soth: Sleeping by the Mississippi includes 20 large-scale photographs and is accompanied by a hardcover book published by Steidl.

Sleeping by the Mississippi is organized by Magnum Photos.

Media support is provided by Cityview.

Des Moines Art Center Downtown
800 Walnut Street, corner of 9th & Walnut Streets
Street level in the Wells Fargo Financial Building

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EXHIBITION RELATED PROGRAMS

Exhibition Opening
Thursday, January 12, 5–7 pm
Music by Matt Ranallo

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Artist Gallery Talk & Book Signing
Alec Soth
Thursday, March 9, 7pm
Des Moines Art Center Downtown

Art critic John Wood writes of Soth’s work, “With most documentary photography, you look at it, sigh, and pass on, but Soth’s work keeps pulling you back to look again because he composes with the skill of the greatest of photographic artists; he’s unafraid of humor and irony, which are impossible to leave out of any authentic American vision.” Join us as the artist discusses this body of work as well as his artistic motivation, techniques, and future projects.

Soth will sign copies of the catalogue, Sleeping by the Mississippi following the talk. Catalogues are available in the Museum Shop. Retail price is $45 ($40.50 members).

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Guided Tours

We are pleased to offer free guided tours of Sleeping by the Mississippi. Please schedule at least three weeks in advance. Contact Jennifer Cooley at 515.271.0328 or jcooley@desmoinesartcenter.org.